Saturday, 7 April 2012

GOODLUCK JONATHAN CALLS FOR PEACEFUL POWER TRANSFER IN MALAWI

Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan has urged Malawi government to transfer presidential power in a peaceful and orderly manner.

The call follows reports that there is confusion within the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DDP) on whether Vice President Joyce Banda should be sworn in as acting president pending 2014 general election.

According to reports two camps have emerged;one pushing for the swearing in ceremony while another arguing that Banda should not be sworn in because the constitution is silent on that.

However according to Ministry of Information officials Banda is expected to be sworn in as Head of State at the National Assembly in the capital Lilongwe.

"President Jonathan urges the political leadership of Malawi and its security agencies to ensure an orderly transfer of presidential powers in keeping with Malawi’s existing constitutional order ahead of the country’s next presidential elections scheduled to be held in 2014" reads the statement.

Banda if sworn in will be the first female president in Southern Africa.